U.S. TO SEEK AGRICULTURE ACCESS IN TALKS WITH EU

The United States on Friday signalled it would not bow to the European Union’s request to keep agriculture out of this year’s planned U.S.-EU trade talks, publishing negotiating objectives that seek comprehensive EU access for American farm products. The objectives, required by Congress under the “fast-track” trade negotiating authority law, seek to reduce or eliminate EU tariffs on U.S. farm products and break down non-tariff barriers, including on products developed through biotechnology, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said. EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström, pictured, told U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer in Washington Wednesday the 28-country bloc could not negotiate on agriculture.